Update from WCH regarding weight classes at the 2026 Senior Canadian Chamipionships

February 23, 2026

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Mac Read, HP Manager at Weightlifting Canada, shared the following message with the OWA:

Our 2026 Senior National Championships will count as a qualifying competition for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This has been approved by Commonwealth Sport, as it was a late addition to their qualifying list, as Barbados was unable to host a qualifying competition. Since it is a qualifying competition, it will be open to international athletes. I can not speak to numbers of international athletes at this time.

 

With these late changes to the international calendar, the high-performance committee has recommended that the 2026 Senior National Championships, utilize the current weight categories, which has been approved by WCH’s board. The original recommendation of using the new weight categories was before the changes to the international calendar. The Commonwealth Games is contesting the current categories and therefore our National Championships needs to reflect that, as a qualifier. See current weight categories below.

 

The 2026 Junior National Championship will still use the new weight categories, as originally proposed. There will also be an open section as at the Junior National Championships for the senior athletes in the new weight categories.

 

Finally, please let your athletes know that expressions of interest for the 2026 FISU championships which are in September, will be closing on March 1. U Sport needs us to name our team in March. Thank you.

 

Current weight categories

Women

48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 86 kg, 86+ kg

 

Men

60 kg, 65 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 94 kg, 110 kg, 110+ kg

 

 

OWA Summary:

• 2026 Senior Nationals will use the current weight categories, as these are the categories being contested at the Commonwealth Games

• 2026 Senior Nationals will be open to international athletes - exciting!

• 2026 Junior National Championships will still proceed using the new weight categories, as originally planned.

• 2026 Junior National Championships will have an open section for senior athletes in the new weight categories.

• Expressions of interest for the 2026 FISU Championships will close on March 1. 

• Please find the declaration of interest here.

• For general information about selections to Team Canada, please review information here.

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